After A Florida Motorcycle Accident

Here are some critical steps you should take after a motorcycle accident to limit your liability, attend to medical issues or other urgent problems, and lay the groundwork for a possible personal injury lawsuit.

First of all, be prepared. Before you head out on the road, print out this list or another comparable post-accident checklist. Keep it in your vehicle as a reference. Also keep a disposable camera and a pen and notebook in your vehicle to record relevant details and witness statements.

Immediately following the accident, deal with medical needs. If you are bleeding, contused, or in shock, seek immediate medical attention. Even if you feel “fine,” you should still talk to a doctor ASAP – in the wake of a bike accident, the adrenaline in our systems can make us go numb to injuries that may “surface” later on. ,

Don’t leave the scene without completing due diligence. Fleeing can get you in trouble with the law (in Florida, “hit-and-run” offenders can be prosecuted as criminals). You might also miss out on opportunities to collect evidence and talk to the police.

Avoid making self-incriminating comments like “I didn’t mean to,” or “I am so sorry!” Even if the cause of the accident seems clear cut, don’t do or say anything that puts you at risk for increased liability and/or that might allow a liable party to “get off the hook.”

Collect as much information as possible. Take pictures. Take witness statements. Collect information from drivers and witnesses involved, including names, numbers, license plate info, insurance info, and contact information. If the accident is serious, call the police to document the scene.

Once you leave the scene of the accident, your job is not over. Maintain records. Write out a journal of what happened as close to the time of the accident as possible. Your memories of the details can and will change over time, so the faster you can get them down on to paper, the more accurate they will likely be.

Finally, it may behoove you to contact a motorcycle accident injury lawyer. Attorney Eddie Farah, of Farah & Farah, can provide a free analysis of your situation. Contact the offices at 1.800.614.3136, or you can email efarah@farah&farah.com for more information.